Dragons top Mountaineers, Eagles
The Clinton Dragons won a nail-biter last Tuesday when they beat visiting Heritage in overtime by a score of 63-61.
The Dragons took the early 17-13 lead in the first quarter and extended their lead to 31-22 at the half as Daraon Jones, Tony Harris, Evan Winchester, Trevon Hill, and Luke Harrison scored to give Clinton the lead.
The Mountaineers managed to shave a point off of the Dragon’s lead in the third quarter, making it a 45-37 Clinton lead.
Heritage came out on fire in the fourth quarter and slowly but surely, the eight-point lead dissipated. The Mountaineers outscored the Dragons 20-8 in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 57-57 and force overtime.
Both squads were deliberate in shot selection in the extra frame but Clinton picked up the narrow win.
Jones led Clinton with 16 points while Harris added 11 points and Harrison scored 10.
The Dragons outscored Heritage 36-22 in the paint and their defense forced the Mountaineers into 14 turnovers.
HHS 13 9 15 20 4 61
CHS 17 14 14 12 6 63
HHS — No stats available at press time
CHS — Daraon Jones (16), Tony Harris (11), Luke Harrison (10), Trevon Hill (9), Evan Winchester (8), Andrew Shoopman (1), DeMarcus McKamey (1)
The Dragons routed visiting Gibbs 74-45 on Friday.
In the early going, the Eagles took an early lead but a 12-2 late in the first quarter gave Clinton a 17-12 lead as Harris, Jones, Harrison, and Hill scored for the Dragons.
The second quarter was all Clinton as they exploded for 26 points as Winchester, Chase Lockard, and Andrew Shoopman got into the scoring column.
The Dragons held a commanding 43-23 at halftime.
Clinton extended its lead to 60-32 in the third quarter as Demarcus McKamey and Trace Wandell joined in the scoring.
The Dragons won going away in the closing minutes.
Harris and Harrison each scored 14 points to lead all scorers. Jones added 11 while Hill scored 10 to give the Dragons four players in double figures.
Prior to the game, Dragons’ Head Coach Chris Lockard was recognized for picking up his 300th career win recently.
Former assistant coaches Frank Fragamini, Craig Dixson, Jay Gregory, Rick Scarbrough, Darin Scarbrough, Brett McGee, Casey Daugherty, Troy Thackerson, and Tyler Drummer were in attendance for the ceremony.
To remember the occasion, Lockard was presented with a commemorative basketball by his son Chase.
“It was a really nice surprise. I had no idea. It was really great to see all of those guys. What was weird, the first thing to hit my mind when Chase came out and gave me that ball was I was the one who gave dad [Don W. Lockard] his game ball for his 300th win...and there I was with Chase. It was very touching and something I’ll never forget,” Lockard said after the game.
He then turned his attention to his most recent win.
“Once we made our adjustments, there we went,” Lockard said of the second quarter run. “We had guys in double figures across the board. Our penetration and ball movement were incredible - probably the best it’s looked all season. Hopefully, we can keep that going.”
Clinton returns to action on Friday at Oak Ridge. They host Campbell County on Tuesday.
Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. for each game.
Gibbs 12 11 9 12 45
CHS 17 26 17 14 74
Gibbs — Shawn Pack (9), Steale Albino (9), Caden Cupp (8), Quinton Jenkins (6), Mickey Richardson (4), Carlton Qualls (3), Vadias Heggs (2), Keegan Katz (2), Javy Williams (2)
CHS — Tony Harris (14), Luke Harrison (14), Evan Winchester (12), Daraon Jones (11), Trevon Hill (10), Trace Wandell (5), Chase Lockard (5), Demarcus McKamey (3), Andrew Shoopman (2)